The two teens had overturned in their kayak and could not make it back to shore because of the strong current, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said.

TAMPA – Four Hillsborough deputies rescued two 16 year olds who were stranded by the current after their kayak overturned, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said.

The teens, Nathan Poinsette and Joe Munoz, were not injured during the incident.

Deputies received an emergency call about 8:20 p.m. Saturday (Sept. 8) saying that a kayak, occupied by two 16-year-old boys, had flipped over in the waters of Bay Bayou RV Resort underneath a bridge. Because of the current, boys were unable to swim to the shoreline. They were both wearing life jackets  and managed to get back into the kayak. But, with the tide quickly rushing out into the Bay, the teens were unable to make it back to land on their own.

Deputies made it out to the scene in less than five minutes. Rather than waiting for the HCSO dive team, which had been called to assist, Cpl. Orlys Oquendo and Deputies Daniel Henry, Andrew Howard, and Chris
Dirmitt tied two tow ropes together, which are designed specifically for a shore-based rescue. They were able to throw the rope out to the kayakers and work together to pull them back to shore.

Photo shows, from left, Deputy Andrew Howard, Joe Munoz, Nathan Poinsette and Deputy Daniel Henry after Saturday’s (Sept. 8) rescue. Courtesy of the Hillsborough Sheriff’s Office.

Hillsborough Sheriff | Kayaker Rescue | Tampabay News

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